Viking Sky position, adrift off Norway Coast and evacuating Passengers & Crew

[nellydean]

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/viking-sky-what-happened-storm-norway-emergency-evacuation-coast-a8837371.html

 

This a report by Simon Calder, a very well respected British travel correspondent.

 

I think questions need to be asked why the ship continued her journey, considering the forecast was so bad, and especially as I read elsewhere that another ship stayed in port.

[TrumpyNor]

9 minutes ago, nellydean said:

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/viking-sky-what-happened-storm-norway-emergency-evacuation-coast-a8837371.html

 

This a report by Simon Calder, a very well respected British travel correspondent.

 

I think questions need to be asked why the ship continued her journey, considering the forecast was so bad, and especially as I read elsewhere that another ship stayed in port.

If I understand it correctly, it was the COMBINATION of bad weather AND no engine power, that caused the dramatic situation. Rough seas along the Norwegian coast (especially during the winter) is a very common thing, and usually does NOT cause any serious situations like this.

 

I see that several here on CC are «pointing fingers» regarding the situation and the decisions made on board by the captain – but the majority of reports from passengers who were on board are actually the opposite, they are praising both the captain and the crew that handled everything in an excellent manner when in a very bad situation.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 24, 2019 by TrumpyNor

[TrumpyNor]

3 hours ago, heakja said:

 

Regarding the weather, the “losoldermann” (master ship pilot) says to the Norwegian newsletter vg.no that such a big ship would usually have no problems  handling a storm like this and/or the demanding area (Hustadvika). The sole problem was the motors shutting down. 

 

This.

[molymoo]

I have been watching this thread for quite awhile and it seems way too premature to start casting aspersions in any direction.  When the dust settles the questions will be addressed by experts.  It would be best if all of the “armchair quarterbacks” here direct their energy in a more constructive direction rather than second guessing the decisions that were made by people who have far more education and experience.  

[drron29]

And as your link mentions Hurtigren runs a ferry service along the Norwegian coast every winter.

did Hurtigren cancel any services?I can find no evidence that they did but plenty of reviews of voyages this month on them.

 

I have been in 3 Force 12 gales in ships much smaller than the Viking Sky.Obviously I survived.The problem is why did the engines fail.

[nellydean]

12 minutes ago, TrumpyNor said:

"If I understand it correctly, it was the COMBINATION of bad weather AND no engine power, that caused the dramatic situation. Rough seas along the Norwegian coast (especially during the winter) is a very common thing, and usually does NOT cause any serious situations like this.

 

I see that several here on CC are «pointing fingers» regarding the situation and the decisions made on board by the captain – but the majority of reports from passengers who were on board are actually the opposite, they are praising both the captain and the crew that handled everything in an excellent manner when in a very bad situation."

 

 

I am not questioning the reaction of the captain, or crew, AFTER the event but, obviously, there will need to be an investigation, to see what caused this situation, that may have had tragic consequences.

 

I am no engineer, but could the engine failure have had anything to do with the ship being battered by rough seas?

 

 

 

Edited March 24, 2019 by nellydean

[TrumpyNor]

3 minutes ago, nellydean said:

 

I would appreciate it if you could edit your post, as it currently looks like everything you wrote in your last post is written by me....

[voyageur9]

According to Marine Traffic, -- as of 12:20pm GMT, Viking Sky is under tow by Ocean Response, a offshore oil supply vessel/ocean-going tug. Two other tugs are escorting. Group is headed roughly south-east at 6 knots with warnings posted of vessel under tow. Destination Molde. Pic is stock of Ocean Response

[flamingos]

Thank you to everyone for the updates and insight, it's been informative.  To the people on the ship, I hope you get to port soon. What a horrible experience, but the captain and crew seem to have done a great job. 

[chankahon]

Looks like the ship is making good progress, entering sheltered waters. Molde is a small lovely town to be (went there in 2016). Molde has a live cam looking over the harbour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJbDmThdOB4 

 

I just wonder if rescue response would come as fast if this happened during a Northeast/Northwest Passage cruise? 

[auldlassie]

8 minutes ago, voyageur9 said:

According to Marine Traffic, -- as of 12:20pm GMT, Viking Sky is under tow by Ocean Response, a offshore oil supply vessel/ocean-going tug. Two other tugs are escorting. Group is headed roughly south-east at 6 knots with warnings posted of vessel under tow. Destination Molde. Pic is stock of Ocean Response

 Yes she is under tow just as you say. There is a pic on twitter at #vikingsky that clearly shows the attached towline. Sorry I don't know how to post it.

[GeezerCouple]

6 hours ago, Paulchili said:

I am trying to understand why people cruise to Norway in February.

 

We took a Hurtigruten Coastal RT (from Bergen, up over the North Cape, to Kirkenes, with an excursion to the Russian Border, and back to Bergen) one year and one week ago (early/mid March, 2018).

Yes, to see the Northern Lights (success!).

 

But the landscape was GORGEOUS.  Breathtaking.

Now, the Hurtigruten ships go from little town to little town, so it's very picturesque almost 24/7.

 

But THIS SAME AREA OF THE SEA 

That evening, the Captain told us we'd have rough seas for several hours.  "Understatement!"

We were in an aft suite, Deck 8 (top inside deck aft), so we "felt" the water.  

Sure enough, relatively suddenly, furniture started shifting, and we could no longer walk.  Then we couldn't stand. So we sort of crawled to the bedroom, and got in bed to be safe.  Because we had not yet read about the Viking Sky (being a year earlier!), we were "enjoying the ride" and were *not* frightened (and I'm a scaredy-cat usually).  This also confirmed our belief that we don't get seasick, although it also assuaged my fears about being "terrified".  No more.  Not after realizing what COULD have happened.

 

Now... we were NOT in the midst of such a dreadful weather situation, to be sure.  I cannot imagine it being so much worse!

I also suspect (only my suspicions) that the Hurtigruten Captains, who do this same route day in and day out, 365 days per year, so they *know* the seas, the reefs, etc...  And perhaps they do not venture out when there are bomb cyclones approaching. 

BUT... that may not be fair, as we don't know precisely what the Viking Sky Captain knew, vs. what actually developed, weather- and sea-wise.

 

We were on an Astronomy Package, so there wouldn't have been much point in going.during the Midnight Sun 

 

We really, *really* wanted to return and do this particular cruise again (and also head up to Svalbard).

Now?  Well... it was a freak, but still all too real for those on board and their families!

We'll see.  (We get on planes even though some go down.  But would we have gotten on a 737 Max?  NOT after the second crash.  Are Viking Ocean ships having too many engine failures - which make the ships uncontrollable in tough seas...?  We are not the experts, but we do get to make our own decisions about *our* travel!)

 

GC

[Atocha Shipwreck Gal]

8 minutes ago, chankahon said:

Looks like the ship is making good progress, entering sheltered waters. Molde is a small lovely town to be (went there in 2016). Molde has a live cam looking over the harbour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJbDmThdOB4 

 

I just wonder if rescue response would come as fast if this happened during a Northeast/Northwest Passage cruise? 

Thank you for the youtube address. It will hopefully let us see the ship arrive.

[Portolan]

This clip from Norwegian TV shows the Sky under tow.  If the video seems to start with a bunch of icons, just click on play.

https://www.nrk.no/mr/cruiseskip-i-trobbel-utanfor-more-og-romsdal-1.14487336

 

It's AIS data shows the Sky making 7.9 knots and 18 nm from Molde after spending the night safely offshore.  Should arrive in Molde in 3 hours or so since it'll (probably) be moving more slowly as it nears Molde.  So, about noon, EDT.

Edited March 24, 2019 by Portolan

[Pratique]

This was posted an hour ago on the VG news website. Google translate is not great but it seems as if the ship is making way under its own power with assist from Ocean Response and is expected to arrive in Molde at 10:00 am Eastern, 3:00 pm local time.

 

 

Edited March 24, 2019 by Pratique

[havenfan]

37 minutes ago, molymoo said:

I have been watching this thread for quite awhile and it seems way too premature to start casting aspersions in any direction.  When the dust settles the questions will be addressed by experts.  It would be best if all of the “armchair quarterbacks” here direct their energy in a more constructive direction rather than second guessing the decisions that were made by people who have far more education and experience.  

 

Best?  For whom or what?

 

I too have been following this thread from the beginning.  I seriously doubt that the parties involved in the rescue have wasted one iota of energy paying attention to the comments in this thread.  I seriously doubt that the parties who will execute the official post-analysis of this incident will waste one iota of energy paying attention to the comments in this thread.  The comments in this thread, whether insightful or inane, will have no impact of any substance on actual events.

 

This is a discussion forum.  An open forum.  To the best of my knowledge, it is not restricted to sympathetic and/or demonstrably factual comments.  Those who have relations with affected passengers do indeed have my sympathy but, if they are deeply troubled by the comments of anonymous persons of indeterminate competence, they don't have to follow this thread.  Or internet forums in general.

 

Lighten up.  Stop taking yourself so seriously.

[Cruise it or lose it]

9 hours ago, AmazedByCruising said:

Looking at these pictures.. Why not let these people go back to their rooms after muster drill and head counting? It's not as if they're evacuated within the next hour. The ship is not sinking either. I fully understand that safety goes beyond comfort at any time, but I don't see how safety is helped by having people sleeping in the corridor instead of a bed.

 

 

 

Maybe there is comfort in being with others.

[Pratique]

Another update. Again, the translation is not great...

 

They are broadcasting interviews with passengers rescued by helicopter.

https://direkte.vg.no/studio/nyhetsdoegnet#!verbatimId=5c976bd65152f7e35da7e372

[FredT]

"Probably" because at that time she was still anchored just off the coast, and things coud have changed "in a heartbeat"...   Then the crew would have had a much harder time running around trying to FIND everyone and get them to their muster stations AGAIN......

[PelicanBill]

For those who were asking if the sea conditions could have caused the engine failure, the answer is no.  Go back and read post #182 by Capt_BJ for an expert opinion on "all engine failure" - this is a new ship and these systems are so redundant it just should not happen without a people failure, or explosion/fire, or collision.

 

So glad the ship is in protected water now.  Hope that Molde harbor Cam can hold up for us!

[Pratique]

[PelicanBill]

3 minutes ago, FredT said:

"Probably" because at that time she was still anchored just off the coast, and things coud have changed "in a heartbeat"...   Then the crew would have had a much harder time running around trying to FIND everyone and get them to their muster stations AGAIN......

Exactly. Under these conditions, you keep track of everyone and keep them together.  They were moments away from a Concordia repeat at one point earlier.  Losing their anchor while on one engine could have been a second serious situation and with the ship rolling like that too dangerous to be moving around.

[Pratique]

[SeaSunset22]

A person on board posted 20 minutes ago " It's getting better ! Life jackets off and only an hour to port "

So really good news.

The same person followed up 10 minutes later with a video titled "people are so bored they are repacking their life jackets !!" . In the video you can hear background music being played by the ship. 

[Sucellos]

54 minutes ago, drron29 said:

And as your link mentions Hurtigren runs a ferry service along the Norwegian coast every winter.

did Hurtigren cancel any services?I can find no evidence that they did but plenty of reviews of voyages this month on them.

 

Hurtigruten cancelled both their northbound and southbound service going through the particular area on Saturday due to the forecasted weather conditions. MS Polarlys was bound for Bergen from Trondheim Saturday morning, but has stayed here in Trondheim for the last 24 hours.

 

Please note however that the ships are different, so the fact that Hurtigruten stayed in port should not be used to make any conclusions regarding the decisions of the captain onboard Viking Sky. The Viking Sky had in addition to its own crew two very experienced local/national maritime pilots onboard and the storm coming was well known, so the weather has surely been taken into account when deciding to sail through. Personally I'm quite sure that hadn't power gone out we would have never have heard much about this sailing, and the passengers would have simply joined the crowds of people having a story about "the one time I passed Hustadvika in rough conditions".